by John BaxterA lovely story that lets you peek into a French family Festin de Noel and feel the love and dedication that goes into preparingthe revered holiday meal.John Baxter, and Australian film critic finds himself, oddly enough, in Los Angeles. John meets French woman, Marie-Do.John falls in love.John moves to Paris.John marries Marie-Do.John prepares Christmas family dinner for 18at the family chateau outside of Paris.Not surprisingly,the French take Christmas dinner quite seriously.Nothing fast.Nothing purchased ready-made except for the bread from the local boulangerie.Several courses.Loads of wine.Every bite savored.

Le Menu:Mareindeer Clear OystersRoast Suckling Pig (Cracklins included)Roast PotatoesCarrot PuddingClochard Apple SauseVacherin CheesePears CrassanesChateau les Eyquem Margaux, 1998and for dessert .... Fruits Brules.And yes, the French take naps post fete.Snoring included!The bonuses are the travels taken to assemble the feast.My favorite, a trip to Charente-Maritimefor oysters.Ah, to have a home there and maybe one with a gite.Je Reve. But por moi, hold the oysters. Finished the book on Christmas Eve - Perfect Timing!I enjoyed his gift of insights into French culture and my only regret is that I could not join them for the feast.Our Christmas dinner was not suckling pig as in John's bookbut Porcupine Meatballs at the request of the Birthday Boy-Man.Here is the recipe as adapted from the original found in Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, Porcupine Meatballs My recipe is from the "Who Knows When" edition as that page is long gone.They really are quite good and a family favoritesince my girls were young.An easy prep and includes the must-have Midwest ingredient of a can of Campbell's condensed soup.We served with mashed potatoes and NO vegetables.Again as requested by the Boy-Man.Now we march on to yet another family birthday Wednesday,and then mine. I have begun my New Year Resolution list.Have you?xx from Moonlight Laneholly